Powell River donated 500 shoebox gifts to Operation Christmas Child last year, and this year its organizer is hoping for just as much generosity.
The charity, run by Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse has collected more than 100 million shoebox gifts across Canada since 1993; hand-delivering boxes to children hurt by war, poverty, natural disaster, disease and famine in over 130 countries around the world.
“Being generous gives so much,” said Powell River organizer Katie Alescio, “not just to the kids it helps, but also to us in return.”
Alescio said she has participated in the charity for over 20 years and loves having her own children involved in the event.
“It makes kids less selfish and gives them perspective,” she said. “It makes them aware of just how lucky we are.”
Last year Operation Christmas Child delivered gift boxes to Iraq, Ukraine, Uruguay, El Salvador, Guatemala, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Venezuela, Equatorial Guinea, Costa Rica, Haiti, Nicaragua, Senegal, and Chile.
Alescio said part of the fun in assembling the shoebox gifts is including school photos of her children and a small personal note about where they live.
“We write about the weather and the kinds of animals we have here, like bears,” she said. “It’s fun for my kids and I think they like to imagine who will receive the gifts.”
Interested donors can pick up shoeboxes from local churches, Your Dollar Store with More in Crossroads Village or Valley Building Supply. An online donation option is also available at packabox.ca.
“An online option is certainly more convenient,” said Alescio, “but my kids also like to be able put their own personal touches on what we send.”
Operation Christmas Child runs until November 22. For more information on how to participate readers can contact Alescio at 604.485.6116.
